Hey everyone! Just wanted to splash in and update everyone with my current status which is: CURRENTLY WORKING ON PROJECTS!!!

It's been so long since I've been apart of this community, but I have so many plans! *sings* "I know you thiii-i-i-iiink I'm a dreameeer, but I'm not the only onnneee..." Seriously though. Like, most people I know, I have a tendency to get distracted with a great many things...right now even...as I write this. *turns off YouTube* Sorry. *Lol* (Okay, what was I saying...)

Oh right, plans!

Not many people know this, but I have a HUGE passion for languages! American Sign Language in particular and I am wanting to become an ASL interpreter (among other things). These "other things" I wish to pursue include: painting, sewing, gaming, cosplay building, singing, writing, YouTube video creating, and more. I'm thrilled to say that I have at least started and completed 1 project in each of my listed passions. Trying to condense everything into a cohesive structure that flows and makes some sort of sense is the current journey I am on as I write to you. I hope you'll join me in this epic adventure to see how this story will unfold and I hope to chat, collab, and even meet all of you at some point in time! Stranger things have happened, right?

I'll be back real soon everyone! In the mean time, please enjoy this cover of "House of Gold" by Twenty One Pilots!

Hey everyone! Thought I would include all of you in the fun of an article I am writing for my college journalism class about "gamers" and who we are on various levels. This is going to be more of an informative piece, so who better to inform the public than us? By writing this article I wish to "clear up" or enlighten the general public on the stereotype that being a gamer has become. There is no one definition of being a gamer and it means or entails something different for every individual. So, as such, I thought I would reach out to the greatest gaming community I know and ask the grand universe of IGN to answer for the general public who you are and why you game. If you could leave your answers in the comments below, or even blog your answers to show off to this fabulous community that would be amazing! I not only would love to include you in the article, but would like to know for my own person inquisition and benefit of getting to know the people I am surrounded by here, as well. Hope you all enjoy and can't wait to read your responses!

1. Would you describe yourself as a "gamer"? Why or why not?

2. What does being a gamer mean to you?

3. What type of games do you play?

4. Why do you game? What does it mean to you?

5. What do you wish to do as a career? Anything involving the game industry?

6. What other hobbies or interests do you have?

7. If there was one thing you could let the general public know about the "gaming universe" or "gamers" what would it be?

P.S. If my article is chosen to be published in the school paper I will post a copy for all of you to read! Thank you again for your time!

I just want to start out by saying...WOW. How did I not play this on Nintendo 64 back in 1998?!

That AND if you have not played this game and intend to: READ NO FURTHER. There may be spoilers where you tread.

As my very first Zelda game experience this was an absolute joy to play. Not having a jump button was a bit of a let-down for a bit, but after realizing I just have to run off the sides of things, I adjusted fairly quickly. The reaction time was a bit slower than I was used to, but that is a standard variation throughout games and developers, thus another easy adjustment. I love color so the vibrancy of the environment sold me almost instantly. The characters I was able to "speak" and interact with were entertaining as well; many were exceptionally witty and true to their "cartoony-ness" (yes, I make up adjectives). I think the only thing that bugged me was that there were a few times I had to remind myself that this game had originally been launched back in 1998 (i.e. the boxy "fairies" at the fountains); but even then I transported my mind back to my childhood and all of my favorite Naughty Dog Crash Bandicoot games, and I was just fine.

Link and his new fairy Navi

The story of the Triforce and its significance was nothing less than mind-blowing. It probably would not have had such an impact on me had it not been referenced to me by countless Zelda game lovers for the past 15 years. Finally being able to understand the hype, excitement, tattoos, pins and T-shirts (and gods-know what else) was an amazing feeling. Courage, power and wisdom. How could I have possibly appreciated the significance of these three at 7 years old? And better yet, understand just how deep this particular story really is? Ganondorf, corrupted by the quest for ultimate power, ultimately was destroyed by the very thing he lusted for. Zelda, hidden and protected by her wisdom, was able to aid Link in his quest to save the realm from the corruption of Ganondorf's evil rule. Link, ironically (but symbolically) the "link between worlds" as he traveled back and forth 7 years through time, the ultimate source of courage to brave dungeons, perils, and even certain death to save Hyrule; but most importantly, Princess Zelda. So very elaborate, but simple. Deep, but entertaining. No wonder so many people I know come back again and again to this particular game to re-experience the thrill, the ride and the story itself. The puzzles were also quite impressive and even incredibly challenging as well; another plus in my book!

Link and Sheik (Thanks IGN!!)

I think I would have been a bit more shocked with the "big transformation" of Sheik into Princess Zelda had I not played Super Mario Smash Bros. where Sheik was a playable character who turned into the princess. Yeah, spoiler there. This never and will never change the fact that The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is a game well worth your money, time and emotional investment if you still have that child-like imagination as I do. A beautiful experience for my very first Zelda game, thus gaining a 9.5 rating from me.

What is success? What does it mean to each of us? What is our motivation for being successful? Why do we care? Well, for me, it was more of a self-esteem boost than anything else. If I could please enough people doing whatever it is I am putting my time and energy into (even if I hated it), then that was my success...but I guess I've been wrong.

"Success is not measured by what you accomplish, but by the opposition you have encountered, and the courage with which you have maintained the struggle against overwhelming odds." - Orison Swett Marden

That quote is something I've been thinking about lately; success being more about focusing on overcoming "the struggle" than accomplishing the result. Or even, in this case, having fun while being creative with friends. I've been way too focused on the end result of things or projects that what we have been doing has been far more stressful than fun. I just feel so lost right now... I'm not sure what my job is and I have no idea how to proceed. It's almost like I have to make up what it is that I do. I can't stand not being able to know what I need to do next. Why does it bother me so much? Maybe I am just too afraid of failing that I beat up on myself before anyone else can tell me that I'm a failure. How do I fix this? It all starts within, I know...but it's hard. It's like trying to reprogram yourself, you know? It feels nearly impossible, but I know that if I think that way, then I won't get better. I need to get out of my head...I haven't even been able to dream lately. That's probably the scariest thing of all. I can't envision what I wish to accomplish in life. Where did all of my dreams go? They are all there somewhere, I know, but where? My spirit wishes to sing, dance, write, dress-up, tell stories, do costumes and make-up, and just help people...but you can't help people if you can't even help yourself.

(I just read a blog by Nefariouslordj and realized that I haven't really introduced myself since I joined a few days ago...sorry about that.)

Well, hello everyone and a special thank you to militaryveterangamer and kelogames for welcoming me and for the many other who have followed! After seeing all the rivalry and "war" in the comments of articles I've been reading, I wasn't sure if anyone cared or would notice me. I know that sounds SUPER melodramatic, but that's kinda how I felt for a bit. Of course, I now have some pretty amazing people following me now, so I hope I won't disappoint. As my profile says, I am Chief Networking Officer/Chief Operations Officer at Blue Toad Must Die. If you've never heard of us you can find us on YouTube, Twitter, and Facebook. I'll post more about us later if you guys are interested in knowing more!

Although I haven't written in quite a while I would love some feedback and constructive criticism to enhance my writing abilities. I am fairly new to the whole "gaming scene", so if I sound like I don't know what I'm talking about it's probably because I don't and am learning. I love learning! So, if there is anything you guys can recommend to enhance my gaming experience, please let me know. What else do I do? I sing, draw a bit, do costumes and make-up for theater and try to write as much as possible. My very first games were Crash Bandicoot Warped and Jack and Daxter; GO NaughtyDog!!!

So, that's a bit about me. Any questions, feel free to ask! I'm a pretty open book.